Wordless Wednesday

This made me happy.

As you know I've taken up running...I'll go into more detail later about that (trying not to jinx it) but anyways this was a quick convo this morning with a great friend of mine that I sort of live to impress (ha not really but yea he supports me uber lots). Either way it made me smile :-) so I'm sharing....
PS-"der" is my slang for DUH

Miss me??!

Yea yea yea-No, not at all.

 I know I've been soooo M.I.A.  I'm not sure why honestly-time just sort of slipped away from me....but come on it was CHRISTMAS!!!! And it was wonderful, sad it is over-determined to leave my tree up all year round (not really but I can pretend) and yeah well that's all.  But I have a few things to write about; soon...trust me I won't bore you with my cheesy Christmas goodness and the whole "I got this, that and this in blue!" As I've said before- gifts are one of my most hated things, just glad the "OMG THANK YOU SO MUCH" :::insert fake smile here::: situations are over...blah. 

So hang in there a few more days, if you can't-feel free to message/DM me, I like them or texts, I'm like a 16 year old I like texts. But I like hearing about you as much as I KNOW you loving hearing about me :-).  So you stalkers out there you'll get your fill in no time.

Wordless Wednesday!

OK I know..there is actually words but whatever....shut it.

Going Overboard!

At Navy Pier!!
I went Sunday with my sister and Taylor and by Taylor I mean my 5 year old niece...there was some confusion...(dorks)

WHAT A GREAT PLACE FOR A KID!!! They have SOOO much going on for families, I LOVED IT. Winter Wonderfest is truly a great place to spend the day (indoors)!!! Although I was most excited for the Blackhawks Indoor skating rink that was probably Taylor's least favorite activity. We were on the ice for 3 minutes tops. (A lovely 19 bucks well spent-UGH)

But here we are lacing up....

On to the ice we go!!...oh yea did I tell you my sister is quite the photographer? ;-)

HA- she meant well though. And so did Taylor, "These shoes hurt"...waaa. I give kids credit that age who actually start playing hockey-what troopers! But besides the indoor skating rink there is plenty for kids to do, tons of inflatable bouncers, slides, rides, mazes, photo opts, cookie decorating, etc! I Taylor could have stayed longer! So get the kids together and head on down to the Pier!
For more info go to:-http://www.navypier.com/

And I leave you with my favorite jumping bean having a ball in the "Candy Cane Bouncer"

And here in the "Snow Hill Mountain"

*no children were harmed in the filming of these videos....

Penguins!

PS-I was like a kid in a candy shop-

AWESOME Christmas decorations....
ANNNNNNNNNNNNNNND-Penguins!!! (well at least one)

Survey!

I owe this one to Shannon!!!  Feel free-copy and paste baby! 

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper!  I love, love, love wrapping gifts..I hate this year I don't have many to wrap. :-(
2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial –*SAD SIGH* I've grown up with a real tree EVERY YEAR, first week of December would be a trip out to go cut a tree as a family, one I can't wait for Mark and I to start with our family (waaaay down that road) But I went with an artificial tree this year, I just HAD to get a tree up as soon as I can (umm Thanksgiving night). But the thought of lugging up a real tree 15 floors then disposing of it-properly aka-NOT tossing if off the balcony onto Michigan Ave just wasn't working.  Trust me-our house WILL ONLY HAVE REAL TREES.
3. When do you put up the tree? Apparently Thanksgiving night. :-) 
4. When do you take the tree down? Umm can I just leave it up all year?!

5. Do you like eggnog? Nope, not one bit, if you want me to go all health nut on you I can....just know it's not on the food pyramid as recommended.
6. Favorite gift received as a child?  Hmmm probably a purse and matching wallet (such a girl) I remember when my mom finally let me bring the purse "out"with us places...god I was so cool.  That or my own cordless phone for my room.
7. Hardest person to buy for? Hmmm hate to say it but I'm really good at giving gifts-I pick up on stuff and make the most of it...I'm guessing the hardest would be my parents but only because they have everything and hate when I spend money on them...
8. Easiest person to buy for? Myself, all freaking year long! :-)
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Nope, but my parents have some pretty sweet ones...crazy to think they are over 26 years old...
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? If I get one more group email card I'll gag-MAIL it b*tches...don't get me started on my thoughts on MAIL!!!  ;-)
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Ummm a stuff animal bunny when I had begged for a REAL one FOREVERRRRR. (#39)
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? ELF. Is there more than one?
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Umm Novemberish....I'm pretty good. I'm so my mom.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Gifts-no...paper, bows and such yes...again so my mother's daughter.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Nothing special...nerd alert: I love all the fantastic salads prepared-I'm too lazy to make them for just me.
16. Lights on the tree? Do people really have trees up without lights?  Just take the tree down people.
17. Favorite Christmas song(s)? Anything by Trans Siberian.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Wherever my family is will get me there.
19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Comet, Vixen, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen… and RUDOLPH! (umm yea I completely 100% copy and pasted this from Shannon) ;-)
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning-duh...Santa doesn't get here in time for us to open gifts Christmas eve

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Weather. 

23. Favorite ornament, theme, or color? Hmmmm classic red and gold so it seems this year! Uhh do I need to tell you my favorite ornament

24. Favorite for Christmas Dinner? ehh nothing...just a table full of family :-D

25. What do you want to do for Christmas this year? Be no farther than 4 feet from Mark and/or my mom.

26. Favorite Christmas tradition growing up? Advent wreath my sister and I did...it was a paper chimney that had mini ornaments that hung on this wreath...
27. Favorite tradition now? Movie night after all the family fun is over...just Mark and I-his pick this year!
28. Favorite Christmas Memory? The ones to come..... ;-) 

Wordless Wednesday!!

Mascara

Mascara oh how I love thee, so much that I love her BLOG!!!  Check it out!!  

It's on my blog roll or right here:

http://wearingmascara.com/

She's so cute...Enjoy!

(how cute is the name too!!?)

Tbox 2009!

It's a bittersweet moment....Tbox has come and gone...nothing but success but now a rough 355 days left till the next one.....granted I have yet to ever make it "wire to wire" (going to all 12 bars and still somehow be alive) I do love a good bar crawl.  
For those of you who don't know what the Twelve Bars Of Xmas is, here is a quick recap....bar crawl...starts 8:30am...Wrigleyville,IL....opening ceremonies at 10:30am followed by everyone splitting into 4 large groups (total attendance this year well over 7000) on to their next bar...this year's theme was High School.  
My friends who were in the "Royal Court" were given "Team Rydell High" which OH MY GOD is from one of my favorite all time movies-Grease, so of course I jumped at the chance to be Sandra Dee...the rest of the gals were "Pink ladies" and the boys were Rydell's finest football team...
Now on to the highlights:

Opening Ceremonies-10:30am complete with Mark's friend 

Harold (TBOXer #1) taking center stage..

Sandra Dee with her PINK Ladies...

And oh man what could make this girl happier than a pack of penguins!!!!?!?

Yes, the penguins made my day-but what a great time, getting to see friends from all over (yes people fly in for just this weekend), walking the streets of Wrigley with over 7000 people all dressed in the holiday spirit (how couldn't a holiday obsessed gal like myself NOT like this!?)!!!  If you missed it-mark your calendars for next year!  It never disappoints!  :-)

Mail!!!

Yes I love the holidays-duh....Christmas Trees.....Christmas Lights....snow (once it's on the ground and I'm off the streets...but most of all I love-

CHRISTMAS CARDS!!!!

(if you don't see yours get to stepping-need the new address? let me know!) 

Granted I love personal mail/letters all year round but it's something about getting mail this time of year that makes me super warm and fuzzy inside. I love sending them, I love getting them and I love the fact that it isn't another bill that's due!

Thanks for all the help!

Ok so I have a tendency to get dizzy when I stand up not often just once in a while, nothing big I "come out" of it in seconds, and go on with the day. But lately-DAMN.  It happens like every time, and for more than a few seconds-like where I have to catch my balance and re-group-EEK!

I talked to my doctor about my meds and that's not it, though he lowered my dosage for "precaution"-aka it might have something to do with it...so I went for a second opinion and by second opinion I mean the internet/a friend.

Guess my slow heart rate (resting I can be as low as 43-record set at 37-yes my friend and I tried) is causing me more harm then good-damn you "healthiness"! 

Here was the best info I was given: 

ASK.COM

This part makes me laugh, in case you missed it while reading....

Wow problem solved-Gee thanks.......

Wordless Wednesday!

Can you spot the difference?

Can't believe I'm even admitting/showing this but yea it's some what MORE motivation.

Sooooo hmm, uh which one is the model?

 UGH FAT ASS FAIL! 

Good thing Lulu*s has great return policies AND Jen stepped out of her "I wish" bubble for a second and actually bought two of the four dresses shown HERE.  Maybe a few more days where I end up at the gym three times per day woudn't hurt. Whatever, I'm gonna try my damnest to get some self esteem and follow in this lovely lady's footsteps..Oh Julie how you motivate me!  And NO sorry- I'm not about to broadcast my weight on my blog, on paper or hell saved in my scale! I do promise you one day to be satisfied with me.  Heck I've now ran for 15 DAYS STRAIGHT!!!!  (that's a start!)

Breakfast with Santa!

.....granted Santa was there for MAYBE a minute (for real...he walked out of a door, up onto the stage, walked across, down off the stage and out the door-yeah "Hi!" to you too). But we did indeed have Breakfast with "Santa" at the Brookfield Zoo.  All in all a great, chilly little morning...Mark was content with the all-you-can-eat buffet complete with Bacon.

Here we are, Mark looking as he calls it "drunk from bacon". 

 

But, I had more important things to worry about-like a life size penguin!!  Oh man, forget the fruit platters, muffins galore, bottomless cups of coffee, GET ME THAT PENGUIN!  Granted every time he came over to our table and we asked for a (another) picture he would walk right to Taylor assuming the child wanted the picture....so I had to settle on this one (at first):

Clearly she was excited as I was.....

But HA-YESSSS! FOR THE WIN!!!

Minus the short viewing of Santa it was a good brunch for the overpriced price, free parking and admission to the Zoo which helped- a wintery penguin AND Frosty! 

Until today Mark had never been to the Zoo in the winter, he didn't even know it was open all year round (UGH-so sheltered) so we had to show him a good time-off to go walk the Zoo!

Getting in, harder then it looks...

GOT IT! "Now Taylor, let them take a picture, just them two"...

"Nooooooooooo!"

Ahhh finally...Thanks for the help Mom! ;-)

Wooo hooo, what a great morning!  If only we were going Ice skating at Millennium Park with Sarah & Ray with afternoon, oh wait no THEY DITCHED US-something about setting up some stupid nursery.  I can see where their priorities are-Shunnnnnnnned!!  

Hope this got you in the Holiday mood... :-)

Mark, Me, Taylor (in mid-yawn), Sis, Mom

Fun.

Yes, Jib Jab is "so 2004" but it is still fun. Yes, It is Saturday night and I'm doing this.  Yes, I skipped out on a bar crawl to do this (it's freaking cold out people-geeze). Yes, I will probably be in bed within the hour.  Yes, I am still cool.

 OK and I had to.

Hey Runners....

Which is better.... 

• A-Running a steady pace (6.0) for 31/32 minutes...

• B-Running at a 6.7 for only 20/21 minutes..

• C-Start at 5.8 and every 6mins increase -.02 (6.0/6.2/6.4/etc.) for 35 mins...

I ultimately just want to continue with my running streak, not training (NO Mick, not gonna do it) or anything just kind of curious to what gives you the best kind of workout, results, etc. 

Any ideas? Tips? I'm not in a "running rut" or anything (yet) so just trying to be proactive. 

Thanks kids!

So cloudy out.......

with Tweet Clouds that is!!

...having fun with these!

Who knew I had some much to talk about! 

For the last month....

And for the whole year I blabbed about....

Fun fun!!!  Go get your own here-

http://tweetcloud.icodeforlove.com/

Running right into 2010

So a while back I had a GREAT convo with a bestie of mine (eww did I just use bestie??-UGH I almost hate that as much as LOL), anyways it was the idea to run EVERY SINGLE DAY.  Easy for some, not for me. UNTIL NOW!!! 

I have run EVERY FLIPPING DAY since November 15th.

...might I add the morning of the 15th I SLOWLY ran up 103 floors.  

SO wow...every day, me-running. I'm pretty impressed with myself...I am by all means not a runner. I have hips,big feet and well (duh) a big chest....all these combined make me kinda suck at running.

So as of today (haven't run yet)  I've ran at least 2.5 miles continuously each and every day...I've maxed out at 4.2 miles-only once-I thought I had died....

I thought these "tweets" where sorta inspirational and kind of why I continue to run EVERY. SINGLE. DAY!.... 

JJ Lane

scottdotcom

mrrobduncan  

BASE727

Ok, well off to go running.....;-)

Wordless Wednesday!

WHAT THE.....

Umm OK. I'm gonna let the TV schedule speak for itself...

(hope you can read it,trying to zoom and fit it all in wasn't working very well)

And as if we thought "I didn't know I was Pregnant" was bad enough....

New Years...

I don't know why but I've been secretly obsessing over New Year's this year...but not just the plans but about what I'm going to wear. Well thanks to "Cyber Monday" I finally bit the bullet and bought my dress....

Soooo which one do you think I picked!??!?!

A:

B:

C:

D:Tough choices I KNOW! :)

FYI...

I didn't eat Turkey, Ham, Rolls, Green Beans,Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes or Stuffed Shells this Thursday.

And NO that does not make me weird.

Oh yeah-cookies trumps ice cream. Always.

Wordless Wednesday!

EXCITEMENT!

I love this time of year. No and it's not for extra indulgences and the gift giving I hate hate HATE both, honestly I do (just ask Mark-I DO NOT WANT ANYTHING-fo' shizzle)!
For me; Thanksgiving and Christmas are simply special because who I get to see, not what's on my plate or in that pretty wrapped up gift box.So while everyone is helping themselves to their second or third helping of whatever it may be (doubtfully healthy for ya) I'll be indulging in my family and friends.

And future fun fests consist of:

December 5th-Breakfast with Santa AND Taylor.

December 12th- T.B.O.X (So pumped!!) Tix are still available-come share some Xmas cheer (and beer) with me!
December 19th- Friend's Pot Luck Dinner at Janeen's (love any chance I get to make something new and for people besides Mark!)

December 24/25th-The Obvious

December 27th-GINA IS IN TOWN!!!! Gals brunch! Hooray!

**ADD ON** (thanks Schump!)
December 31th-DUH-Hey there you pretty thing- 2010 (you can come!)

January 23th- My second annual Tastefully Simple party (oh YUM) (using it as a pathetically late housewarming party too)

Seeeeee who needs food or gifts when you can just throw parties!!!! Helllllllo people think about whats REALLY important!!

Purse Party Mania (Numero Dos)!!

Numero Uno can be found over here with my seriously creepy second half!! (xoxo my love)

It's that time of year again when my mom begs me (little does she know I've been counting down the days to spend with these purses I mean her) to join her at her bosses house for the annual "Purse Party"...for those of you who don't know me, purses are a weakness of mine-yes "slightly girly" for a moment....granted I pride myself in having no problem going out in sweats and yoga pants and/or from shower to out the door in less than 11 mins- I do enjoy a good shoulder companion. And by companion I mean purse. And by purse I mean COACH. It stole my heart at a young age and I'm ok with that.

Soooooo the purse party...always in November, always a good time had by all, and by all I mean me. My mom mainly buys something because it's her boss and she is all polite like that and well me I just buy to buy.....

So quick moment of silence for my current companion (branched out to the D&G world), a great friend through thick and thin-a youngest still, not yet over 3 months (her fault-she was unaware of this annual event) Enjoy the darkest of my closet-it's warm and safe in there. Winter is coming-you'll thank me come January.

Mommy loves you. XOXO

Annnnnnnnd drum roll please...meet my new partner in crime.

"Black Beauty"

Shocking Jen buys another black purse but TRUST ME this one IS different and since I said trust me I don't really need to explain why! ;-)

Oh and like cherries are to sundaes wristlets are to Jen's wardrobe. TAAAADA!!! Bonus gift-it's was practically Clinique Bonus time! ;-) Ohhhh stop your drooling, you're making her blush! Till next year!

Borrrrrrrred....tell me what I should blog about.

Thanks

With Thanksgiving right around the corner I thought I'd take a moment out of my (out of nowhere) crazed, hectic life to take a moment (as everyone else is) and give thanks.

......To my parents. (the cuties HERE)

I am honestly so thankful for them. If you didn't already know they are absolutely, 100%, gods honest truth my best friends, the both of them. I don't know what they did or how they did it, but I just know they did it. Neither one has ever judged me all they ever did and continue to do is support me regardless of what it is.

To this day my mom still always wants to help out with whatever she can-I've been moved out since I was 18 yet she always prevails. I pretty much had to beg her the other night to "keep your money" when I had bought the tickets to This is It (ummm Amazing movie).
My dad every time I stop home is wants to share some sort of sport update or recipe with me, not to mention give me something, anything "I've got extra chicken breasts in the freezer...." "Need any parsley?" or "I'm going to Sam's..need anything". Just the other month I got new tires for my car-yea it was from "Santa" but 600 bucks-BAM.DONE. I don't think I've ever spend 600 bucks on any one else...don't get me wrong I am by no means spoiled, I liked to call it "being well off"-never with out a meal, clothes or the hippest toy growing up but I bought my first car, my own insurance, etc...if it was going to be mine I would be buying it....and as I grew up they taught me how life is what you make of it, no one else is going to live it or give it to you....you get what you put in to it.

I owe pretty much all of my character, attitude, outlook on life all to my parents. They were the ones who showed me the way, who led by example, who taught me with both what they said and what they did. Without them, who knows what kind of a person I’d be (don't answer that) I am so thankful for everything they've done, shown me, supported me through. Their love and friendship truly makes me the person I am today-which as they continue to tell me is pretty rad. :)

Happy Almost Thanksgiving to all!! Hope you spend it with the ones that mean the most near by!

Wordless Wednesday!

Next up!

The other day I was talking with a friend of mine that sorta lead me to this "challenge" and I figured I'd share (of course I did)...so it starts:

He was all like: "Hey, how'd the climb go?"

And I was all like: "ugh, horrible-I failed"

So he was all like: "What?? You didn't finish?"

And I was all like "No that's not it, I did, but a minute slower than last-boo"

blah blah blah.....

I know I know-ON.TO.THE.POINT-

Him: "You should do a marathon..."

(HA-funny guy)

Me: "HA HA HA....funny, not a chance. "

Him: "Well what do you have planned next?"

Me: "Hmmm good question, nothing"

Him: "MARATHON"

Me: "Not a chance"

Soooooo I started to think what COULD I do next??!! I'm definitely good with stairs for a while and there is no way in hell I'd every do a marathon-which leads to no triathlons, or half marathons so don't even bothering suggesting it.
Then the lightbulb went off!! I'll just run EVERYDAY till TBOX (did ya buy your tix yet!?). Not every other day-EVERY DAY....no big deal to some but for me-the NON-runner this is huge...yeah I manage to get to the gym at least 5 times a week but now I'm "upping the anty" 7 days a week...till December 12th. I started Sunday, went yesterday and today...so only 23 more days to go!! So far so good-and hell if I can keep this up maybe I'll run all the till 2010....probably not but I aim high (twss)!

PS-thanks for the idea Mr. Micheal Fontaine I owe ya one! :-)

I'm on a roll....

First- I get inducted into REDEYE ROYALTY.
Then I get asked to "guest blog" for a new friend!!!
Man I actually feel kind of special...
Anyways, if you missed it check out the awesomeness HERE.

Oh man oh man...I'm floating on cloud nine!
On top of all this..tomorrow morning I'm off to scale the Willis Tower-

See you at the top!! :-)

Royalty

Did you know that this whole time you've been reading my incredibly awesome, can't live without blog, you've been reading a blog from real life royalty?!!??! No? Well guess what-you are!? You lucky ducks you....so I am, Royalty that is. No my parents are not queens and kings and there are no castles (yet) but I'm royalty-I swear it says right here. Seeeeee!!!!?

The best part about all this?, yes I'm honored and think it's a great idea but I didn't have to go through the grueling application process like most-THEY CAME TO ME!! FINALLY people are realizing how important and awesome I really am...I knew it was only a matter of time! ;-)

So ok I'm royalty-RED EYE ROYALTY to be exact, so what does that mean for all you people?!?! Nothing really-just that I am a teensy bit excited for it, wanted to share with the world wide web and well that you can catch me blogging over here too now--->

WHERETHECOOLPEOPLEBLOG

I am PrincessJLA (of course I am)
Here is my First Blog Post

PS-check my updated BLOG ROLL-please oh please...new blogs from AWESOME, LOVABLY people!!!! <3

Wordless Wednesday!

If our children end up taking after Mark this very easily could be my future..... ;-)

Wordless Wednesday

So I'm starting "Wordless Wednesday" thanks to this groovy lady HERE. Obvious I'm not being very "wordless" but guess I just wanted to explain this pretty self-explanatory posting! ;-) So here goes....from now on No. More. Words. Just pictures........

Halloween 2009.

For all you non facebook-ers aka my spin members that I promised pictures for....;-)

I'd like to think Mark and I had the best costumes out there...I mean you can only have so many H1N1's, nurses, and doctors before it gets boring. I owe our choice all to Mark-it was his idea. The only problem now is it sets the bar pretty high for next year. I'm sure he will gladly accept the challenge :)

So with no further adieu, I present to you- Jessica and Roger rabbit....

Quite a lot of red if you ask me...

All and all a great night at a friend of a friends house party up in Lakeview..complete with Flippy Cup and to quote Barbush "It's like riding a bike"...and I'm an awesome bike rider! :-D

3....2.....1-Go!

And adding to the perfect Halloween weekend a good friend welcomed their new baby girl Sophia into the world-6lbs 9oz right on Halloween afternoon-many great costume birthday parties to come!!!! Congrats you two!! PLUS an extra hour of sleep?!?! *arm pump*-YES! It's funny how Halloween changes over the years-not a single piece of candy for me, nor did I want any. After all I was more concerned about how many beverages I could get anyways ;-) ohhh an up side of adult hood.

Happy Halloween kids, how did you guys ring in the festivities?!?! See any better costumes than ours??!!?!